India beat England by 106 runs in the second match of the five-match test series at Vizag and levelled the series by 1-1 after chasing. India set a mammoth target of 399 against a solid English batting lineup. In response, shrewd Zak Crawley, who top-scored with 73 and hit half-centuries in both innings, led England’s chase, which saw them make as many as 292 runs. 292 also became the second-highest team score of the game.

At the beginning of the day, Rehan Ahmed, who batted overnight, was hitting freely while Rohit Sharma continued to partner with Axar Patel. After a 45-run stand, in which he had Rehan playing across one, sliding on and keeping low to be trapped LBW, Axar eventually got his reward.

England continued attacking, and Ollie Pope started quickly. Despite this, Crawley continued to be the most composed batter, using his reach and taking deliberate shots to keep turning the tables.

Veteran R Ashwin started challenging both edges after finding some drift and loop across the right-handers from around the wicket. He also caught an attacking Joe Root mid-air after Rohit caught him with a sharp catch of Pope.

After Root’s departure, Crawley and Bairstow responded with a rapid 40-run partnership. However, late in the session, India turned the tide of the match with two close LBW calls that went their way. Following a series of deliveries that went wide, Bumrah brought one sharply back into Bairstow to trap his leg before the umpire’s call. Initially, Kuldeep beat Crawley with a skidder and had him declared LBW on review.

By the end of the opening session, England only needed 205 more runs with four wickets in hand, with Ben Stokes, their captain, standing at one end. England’s captain wick, keeper Ben Foakes, began the final session playing both cautiously and aggressively, but a straight blow from Shreyas Iyer brought him down as he tried to go for a quick single.

The chase appeared to be over at 220/7, but England’s struggle continued thanks to a stand of 55 runs between Tom Hartley and Foakes. However, as the two continued to cut into the deficit, Rohit brought back Bumrah. And the modern-day great tricking Foakes produced a straightaway with a slower ball. Using a little reverse swing, Mukesh Kumar hit a ball to remove Shoaib Bashir, and Bumrah completed the match by blowing out Hartley. 

President Gabriel Boric of Chile has confirmed that more than a hundred people have lost their lives in the fires that have ravaged Valparaiso over the past two days. In response, the president has declared two days of official mourning and a national emergency.

President Gabriel issued a warning that the death toll from the fierce wildfires in central Chile would likely rise “significantly” as rescue teams searched through destroyed neighbourhoods, and on Sunday, that number rose to at least 112 people.

El Nino weather phenomena are causing a summer heatwave and drought in southern South America, fueling the fires. Scientists warn that extreme heat and fires are becoming more common as the planet warms. During a severe summer heat wave that saw temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) over the weekend, firefighters continued to battle fires in the coastal tourist area of Valparaiso. 

As firefighters in Argentina battle a fire that has burned over 3,000 hectares in Los Alerces National Park—known for its splendour and biodiversity—since January 25, the rising temperatures threaten to engulf more of the continent.

Interim Budget 2024: FM Nirmala Sitharamana Presents 6th Budget

What is El Nino & La Nina & its relation with the Chile Forest Fire?

El Nino is a natural phenomenon that causes the ocean’s temperature to rise, particularly in some regions of the Pacific Ocean. The term “nomenclature” refers to a recurring development along Peru’s coast. This development temporarily substitutes the chilly current along Peru’s coast.   The word “El Nino” is Spanish. “The child” is the literal meaning of the term El Nino. This is because the name alludes to the birth of Christ. After all, the current begins to flow around Christmas. 

La Nina, another natural occurrence currently making headlines, is comparable to El Nino. “Little girl” is what the term La Nina means. Since it causes the ocean water in some regions of the Pacific Ocean to “cool,” it is referred to as the opposite of the El Nino phenomenon. Together with oceanic changes, both of them also cause changes in atmospheric conditions. 

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd. said on Sunday that the Sony Group’s request for a stay against the Indian media company’s move to the NCLT to enforce the merger that was cancelled by the Japanese company’s Indian arm has been denied by the Singapore Arbitration Centre.

The interim relief sought by Culver Max and BEPL (Bangla Entertainment Pvt Ltd) to restrain Zee Entertainment Enterprise Ltd (ZEEL) was denied by an Emergency Arbitrator of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre. ZEEL stated in a filing to stock exchanges that the arbitrator lacked jurisdiction to pass such an order.

In addition, it stated, “We wish to inform you that the Emergency Arbitrator has determined that the Emergency Arbitrator has no jurisdiction or authority to injunct the Company from approaching the NCLT to implement the Merger Scheme since these are matters which fall within the statutory system and are for the NCLT to decide.” The Emergency Arbitrator’s award, dated February 4, 2024, denied the application for emergency interim relief filed by Culver Max and BEPL.

The merger agreement between Sony and ZEEL to combine its two Indian companies, Culver Max Entertainment (formerly known as Sony Pictures Network India) and BEPL, was terminated last month.

Sony Group Corporation (SGC) claimed that ZEEL had not complied with the merger requirements and had filed for arbitration before SIAC, requesting a termination fee of USD 90 million (approximately Rs 748.5 cr).

ZEE opposes the Sony merger termination action by moving NCLT

In the meantime, ZEEL petitioned the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) to order the Sony Group to carry out the merger plan. Additionally, ZEEL had started the proper legal proceedings to refute the USD 90 million claims Sony Group had made to SIAC.

It claimed that BEPL (Bangla Entertainment Pvt Ltd), a company owned by the Sony Group, and Culver Max, a company that was going to merge with ZEEL, “are in default of their obligations to give effect to” and carry out the merger plan that the NCLT approved.

In a regulatory filing on January 24, two days after Sony terminated the merger agreement, ZEEL had stated, “The company approached the NCLT, Mumbai-bench, seeking directions to implement the merger scheme, among other things.”

On August 10, 2023, the Mumbai bench of the NCLT approved ZEEL’s plan to merge with BEPL and Culver Max Entertainment, two Sony group companies. This merger could have resulted in the creation of a media company valued at USD 10 billion.

The largest entertainment network in the nation would have been created by the combination of Zee Studios and Sony Pictures Films India, over 70 TV channels, two video streaming services (ZEE5 and Sony LIV), and two movie studios.

Modern lifestyle can positively and negatively influence our physical and mental health. With technological advancement and increased automation, everyday life has become more sedentary. Many spend extended periods sitting at desks before screens, leading to a lack of physical activity. This desk-bound lifestyle contributes to various health issues, such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and musculoskeletal problems. Modern life has also brought several opportunities for improving mental and physical health. The internet has provided access to a wealth of psychological and physical health information. People can easily research and educate themselves on various health topics. Finding a balance and prioritising self-care to maintain good health is essential. 

The escalation of smartphones, social media, and constant connectivity has led to immense information and constant digital stimulation. Excessive screen time and information overload can contribute to mental health issues such as decreased attention span, addiction, and increased feelings of stress and overwhelm. Most of the studies found exposure to social media has increased stress levels to 37.67%, anxiety to 47.86%, and depression to 48.3%.  

Fast-paced lifestyles, high work demands, and constant connectivity often characterise present life. This can lead to chronic stress, anxiety and burnout. Continuous exposure to stress can negatively affect mental health, leading to conditions like depression, anxiety disorder and sleep problems. The 24/7 nature of modern life, combined with increased screen time and exposure to blue light, can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to poor sleep quality. Lack of sleep can lead to fatigue, decreased cognitive functions, and increased risk of mental health disorders. New life has seen a rise in the consumption of processed food, often high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. These dietary patterns contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. 

On the one hand, modern life is affecting our mental and physical health; on the other hand, it also helps us to live healthier lives with progress in technology and medical life. Contemporary technologies have enabled individuals to access healthcare services remotely through telemedicine. This has increased access to healthcare, especially for those in remote areas or with limited mobility. Technological developments have led to the expansion of various health tracking and wearable devices. These tools allow individuals to monitor their physical activity levels, sleep patterns, and other health metrics, encouraging healthier habits. 

There are so many virtual groups, and virtual therapy sessions have become rapidly popular, providing individuals with access to mental health resources and support from the comfort of their own homes. This emphasis on self-care and overall well-being has grown in recent years. This has led to an increased focus on mindfulness, meditation, and stress reduction techniques, which can positively impact mental health.

Modern lifestyle has a significant influence on mental and physical health, with both positive and negative effects. While advancements in technology and lifestyle have provided various opportunities for improving health, they have also contributed to challenges such as desk-sitting lifestyles, chronic stress, and digital overload. It is essential to adapt and find a balance between embracing the benefits of modern life and actively managing its adverse impacts on our mental and physical well-being.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Interim Budget 2024-2025 today on 1 February. The budget outlined the government’s agenda for the remaining term. During her budget session speech in Parliament, FM Sitharaman emphasized the growth of higher educational institutions. The rise in women enrolling in STEM courses over the past decade and the national education policy (2020) are driving a significant transformative change.

About National Education Policy(NEP) 2020 

The National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) outlines a massive transformation in education as “an education system rooted in Indian ethos that contributes directly to transforming India, that is Bharat, sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society, by providing high-quality education to all, thereby making India a global knowledge superpower.”

NEP 2020 is built upon the five guiding pillars of accessibility, equity, affordability, quality, and accountability. It will prepare our youth for the twenty-first century’s numerous domestic and global challenges. 

NEP 2020 ushering transformational change says FM Sitharaman

School Educational insights  

In school education, the National Education Policy 2020 stresses the core values and principle that education must develop not only the cognitive skills, that is, – both ‘foundational skills’ of literacy and numeracy, as well as “higher-order” abilities like problem-solving and critical thinking, but also social and emotional abilities, sometimes known as “soft skills,” such as empathy and cultural awareness, tenacity and grit, cooperation, leadership, and communication, among others.

The Policy aims to provide universal pre-primary education to all children by 2025, ensuring that all children acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills for primary school and beyond.

It makes numerous recommendations for changes to the educational system at all levels to guarantee the quality of education. These include strengthening teacher preparation programs, changing the current exam and assessment system, changing the curriculum to include pedagogy with a 5+3+3+4 design for students in the age range of 3 to 18 years, and restructuring the education regulatory framework. 

Insights on Higher education

Moving toward multidisciplinary and holistic education, institutional autonomy, promoting high-quality research through the creation of the National Research Foundation, ongoing professional development for teachers, technology integration, internationalization of higher education, reorganizing governance and regulatory architecture, multidisciplinary curricula, engaging blended pedagogy, valid, reliable, and blended assessment, and content availability in Indian languages are just a few of the topics covered in Higher Education, NEP, 2020. 

More medical colleges to be set up soon, the Finance Minister says. “Our government plans to set up more medical colleges by utilizing the existing hospital infrastructure.” she further stated that a committee would be established for this specific purpose to look into the problems and offer pertinent recommendations.

The National Education Policy 2020 brings revolutionary educational changes for India on the rise. It is delivering quality teaching and nurturing, holistic and well-rounded individuals scaling their mission to one point,’ Sitharaman said in the Parliament.

Despite the landmark Spot Bitcoin ETF decision, the digital asset sector’s 2024 has yet to live up to early optimism. This sentiment is further dampened by a recent security incident involving Ripple co-founder Jed McCaleb.

Reports allege unauthorized access to Mr. McCaleb’s accounts, resulting in the theft of 213 million XRP, valued at over $112.5 million. While Ripple remains unaffected, the incident raises concerns about individual investor security and the broader vulnerabilities within the XRP ecosystem.

Mr. McCaleb promptly addressed the situation, clarifying that the breach involved only his holdings and emphasizing swift action taken to contain the damage. Exchanges were notified to freeze affected addresses, and law enforcement involvement is confirmed.

Navigating NFT: A Comprehensive User Guide

The incident triggered a 5% decline in XRP’s value, highlighting investor anxieties about security and regulatory uncertainties surrounding the digital asset landscape.

This event necessitates a thorough investigation to determine the breach’s origin and identify potential vulnerabilities within the XRP ecosystem. Additionally, it underscores the growing need for robust security measures and transparent regulatory frameworks within the digital asset space.

While individual incidents like this do not necessarily reflect on the entirety of the digital asset sector, they serve as crucial reminders of the inherent risks involved and the importance of responsible investment practices and comprehensive security protocols.

Interim Budget 2024: On Wednesday, February 1, Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the interim budget for 2024 in Parliament; it was also her sixth budget as Finance Minister. The honourable Finance Minister started his budget address by highlighting the government’s achievements in the last ten years.

After this, she also mentioned how India will develop under the guarantee issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apart from this, she also discussed many important points like the government breaking barriers for Nari Shakti, the contribution of NEP 2020 to the development of the country, and how India is emerging as a world leader in the new world order after the Corona epidemic.

Flight to women empowerment

The government has continuously made every possible effort to promote women’s empowerment, and the government has also brought new schemes for women every year. Figures supporting women’s power in the Finance Minister’s statement,

• 30 crore Mudra loan to women
• Nearly 70 per cent of the houses allotted to the PM in rural areas are in the name of women.
• Within the last ten years, there has been an increase of about 28 per cent in the registration of women in the field of higher education, which is the highest in the world.

Revolution in education

Steps taken by the government to improve education in the last nine years are following. 

• Creation of 3000 new ITIs under the Skill India Mission, which has provided skills to 1.4 crore youth of the country and also upskilled 55 lakhs
• Creation of 7 IITs, 16 IIIT’s, 15 AIIMS, 7 IIMs and 390 new universities.

Interim Budget 2024: FM Nirmala Sitharamana Presents 6th Budget

Electricity to every village and street

Reaching electricity to every household in India was one of the main objectives of the government, for which the government is making every possible effort,

• 300 units of free electricity per month under solar energy to 1 crore families
• Due to this, the saving is approximately Rs 15000 to 18000

Poverty free India

Eradicating poverty in India has always been the agenda of every Indian government; steps of the government to make India poverty-free

• Freed 25 crore people from multidimensional poverty
• Direct Benefit Transfer of Rs 34 Lakh Crore deposited directly into beneficiary accounts
• Through this, the government also saved Rs 2.7 lakh crore

Prosperity of Farmers

To build a developed India, the development of the farmer is most important; Sakar has played a decisive role in enriching the farmer by implementing PM Kisan Samman Nidhi.

• Financial assistance to 11.8 crore farmers
• Annual aid of Rs 6000 to farmers in 3 instalments
• Crop insurance to 4 crore farmers

Building a healthy and strong India

• Formation of a committee to build modern medical colleges in India
• Unveil the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and make every ASHA worker in India its beneficiary.
• Cervical cancer vaccine for girls aged 9 to 14 years

Every Indian gets their dream home

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, houses were given to 3 crore families in rural areas; taking this scheme forward, the government is constructing two crore more houses. The government will also implement a new scheme for the middle class to buy and build homes.

Journey of becoming a world leader

The coronavirus pandemic changed the environment of the entire world and created a new world order, which also redefined the concept of globalisation. When the whole world was troubled by the global pandemic, the developed countries were only engaged in protecting themselves. India played the role of Vishwaguru by implementing Vasudev Kutumbakam’s policy and helping every country that needed help, whether it was free vaccines or food grains.

While presiding over the G20, India proved that the twenty-first century is India’s century by building new economic corridors and including the African Union in the G20. 

On Wednesday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) directed Paytm Payments Bank to cease taking new deposits into its wallets or accounts after February 29, 2024. The regulator informed Paytm Payments Bank, a subsidiary of one of the biggest payment companies in India, that it would not be permitted to accept new deposits, process credit transactions, or provide fund transfers, including the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) service, after February 29.

After February 29, 2024, no additional deposits, credit transactions, top-ups, or withdrawals are permitted in customer accounts, prepaid cards, wallets, FASTags, NCMC cards, etc. According to a press release from central bank chief general manager Yogesh Dayal, except for interest, cashback, or refunds may be credited at any time.

The statement further stated that customers may withdraw or use balances from any of their accounts, including savings bank accounts, current accounts, prepaid cards, FASTags, National Common Mobility Cards, etc., without any limitations, up to the available amount.

Earlier, Indian Highways Management Company (IHMCL), the arm of NHAI, had stopped Paytm Payments Bank from issuing fresh FASTags after it found that Paytm Payments Bank was not following the parameters prescribed in the service-level agreement. 

Customers can still use Paytm for digital payments as long as their account is linked to an external bank, as the RBI’s action primarily targets the banking functions of the app. This is an alarming development for the business and will undoubtedly impact its current clientele. We should wait for the official statement from the company, though. Paytm’s (One 97 Communication) short- to medium-term stock price is also anticipated to be impacted by this development. The decision will affect the profit of INR 300-500 cr annually. 

“RBI’s actions directly affect the wallet industry and merchant payment business profitability, which can have a 20–30% impact on EBITDA. Because of worries about the group’s reputation, we see a much more significant impact. If lending partners reduce or limit their exposure, the lending business, which accounts for less than 20% of revenues, may suffer greatly. According to Jefferies, these force us to reduce our FY25–26 EBITDA projections by 45%, which will further postpone profitability.

HHRD recognizes the harsh reality of the struggles of refugees living in camps during this winter season. Especially those living in tents with inadequate protection from the wind and snow. The harsh cold can cause illness, suffering, and even death, posing a significant risk to vulnerable populations such as infants and the elderly. Despite these challenges, there is an opportunity to make a significant difference by supporting the HHRD winter relief program.

HHRD Winter Relief Program

Helping Hand for Relief Development (HHRD) recognizes the urgency of the situation and started the Winter Relief Program to meet the critical needs of those experiencing hardship during the harsh winter months. You can help by sending a Winter Relief Package today, which includes essential clothing and blankets as well as other material items.

Donations to the Winter Relief Program play an essential role in ensuring that people in need receive the assistance they require to stay warm, healthy, and safe during the colder months. These packages become more than just supplies; they become hope, providing warmth and protection from the cold. Your contributions have a global impact, reaching thousands of people, particularly in areas like Gaza, where our Palestinian brothers and sisters have been enduring hardships with limited resources. The Winter Relief Program becomes a lifeline, assisting those who have faced unimaginable tragedy.

By sending provisions throughout the winter, you not only make it easier for people, but you also give them a chance at a better life. Giving what you can becomes a sign of support that lets people in need know they are not alone in their struggles. Let’s work together to make a difference this winter.

Help HHRD by sending a winter relief package. Together, we can bring warmth, health, and safety to people who need it the most. Kindness from you can be the light that shines through the dark and gives hope to those who need it the most.

On Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate arrested the sitting Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, in a money laundering case. Soren became the third CM of the state arrested after his father, Sibu Soren, and Madhu Konda. Soren resigned as Chief Minister before his arrest and became a part of a long list of former chief ministers to have faced such action. Champai Soren will take over as the next Chief Minister. Before this, Champai served as Cabinet Minister of Transport, Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Caste & Backward class welfare in the cabinet of Hemant Soren.

For the first time in independent India’s history, a sitting CM has been arrested, despite many CMs having been arrested before. The incident highlighted whether there is any provision in the constitution of India to charge a sitting CM. 

Constitutional Provision

The constitution of India gives immunity power in civil and criminal matters only to the President of India and the Governor of States. Apart from these two, all the other constitutional positions are treated as equal before the law, as Article 14 of the Constitution mentions. However, if the President and Governor are found guilty, they can also be arrested after completion of the tenure. Article 361 of the constitution states that the President or Governor while holding the office, is not personally responsible for any court for the exercise and execution of their powers.

List of arrested CMs

Two extremely influential state leaders, J Jayalalithaa of Tamil Nadu and Lalu Prasad Yadav of Bihar are among the lengthy list of (former) Chief Ministers in the nation who have served time in prison. The others are Madhu Koda (Jharkhand), Om Prakash Chautala (Haryana), and Chandrababu Naidu (Andhra Pradesh).

Rashtriya Janata Dal patriarch Lalu Prasad Yadav and former chief minister Jagannath Mishra were found guilty in the 2013 fodder scam. A land-for-jobs case is being investigated against him and his son, Tejashwi Yadav.